A new scientific study shows that the use of electronic cigarettes during pregnancy can have serious consequences for a child’s health — even when the vape does not contain nicotine, UNILAD reports.

The popularity of vaping devices has surged in recent years, yet many of their potential health risks remain unclear. Many Americans view them as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking, unaware of the potential for addiction and the harm caused by inhaling the substances themselves.

The study, led by Professor James Cray from the Department of Anatomy at Ohio State University College of Medicine, indicates that even nicotine-free e-cigarettes can lead to congenital abnormalities in the fetus. He emphasizes that most users are young people — teenagers and adults in their most active reproductive years. According to him, this is alarming because fetal skull development begins very early, and many women may use such products without knowing they are pregnant.

“This is a small study, but it shows that nicotine-free vaping is also not safe. We probably need to study these products with the same seriousness as nicotine-containing ones,” Professor Cray states.

The research team exposed pregnant mice to inhalation of a mixture of two primary ingredients used to create the “throat hit” sensation and smoky effect in vaping. Observations of the newborns revealed numerous cases of shortened skulls, narrower facial features, and lower birth weights. Professor Cray notes that despite the absence of nicotine, the effect on skull development was significant and unexpected.

“We found a consistent narrowing of all facial features, and the same pattern extended toward the brain portion of the skull. The animals had predominantly narrower and slightly shorter skulls — something reminiscent of real changes observed in children,” he adds.

The results of the study were published in the scientific journal PLOS One. The authors call for more in-depth research into the effects of vaping products — both with and without nicotine — especially in light of their growing popularity. |BGNES